Un-winterizing....

[Trina Wilson]

I am new to the site and to boats. My mentor, an ex-navy man, was teaching me but died unexpectedly so my questions may seem silly...but I'm serious. I have two mercruiser inboard 230 engines in my cruise a home. When my mentor did the winterizing he turned off the intake valve (??-so no water would come into the engines) and removed a few plugs. I have tried to find where the plugs go but have only found 3 of the 4 (I hope the three are correct). So I wanted to let water come back into my engines and find where the water leaks and the plugs go. However after looking for something that I don't know what to look for, I cannot find what my friend did to turn off the sea water. Is it a bolt that allows water in? a switch? I only know it was way under the engine, he made me a tool to access it better, but I don't know where to find it....thank you.

 

[sugilbert]

Trina, I think it best for you to take your boat, if only once, to a highly recommended boat mechanic. He/she can undo all that was done, and make recommendations for the future.

 

[boatbum]

+1 Do a walk through with a mechanic.

 

[Sandy]

The intake seacock valves should be mounted on top of the RW intakes on through-hull strainer fittings in the bilge usually just aft of the engines and gears.

Is the "tool" just a piece of pipe to fit over the seacock valve handle for better leverage?

That valve ( hopefully) may look something like one of these (and not gate valves or lightweight ball valves):
https://www.perko.com/catalog/category_products/underwater_hardware-seacocks/

 

[Radioactive]

( NC: No anchor = no PM, no email )

 

[onthecreek]

What make/model boat?

You're looking for hoses (raw water intakes) that connect to fittings (seacock valves) on the hull (thru-hulls). These are likely below and behind (aft) of the engines at a location on the hull that's always submerged when the boat is moving quickly (running on plane). Either follow hoses from the engines to the hull or start at the hull and follow the hoses back to the engine.

 

[Carvervirgin]

Trina, sorry to read of the loss of your mentor and i assume, friend. The responses that suggest hiring a mechanic are spot on! Not doing this correctly can be catastrophic for your motor, your wallet and your enthusiasm for boating. Welcome to the forum and keep us informed of what transpires.